System and method for growing a plant in an at least partly conditioned environment

a technology of system, applied in the field of system for growing a plant in at least partly conditioned environment, can solve the problems of occupying a relatively large amount of expensive land area in these areas, consuming energy to keep a greenhouse warm, and affecting the efficiency of the plant, so as to achieve the effect of improving efficiency

US10667469B2Active Publication Date: 2020-06-02PLANTLAB GROEP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Patents(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2020-06-02

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Abstract

A system for growing a plant (1) in an at least partly conditioned environment includes a cultivation base (11) for receiving a culture substrate (3) with a root system (4) of the plant therein. Root temperature control elements (12) are provided which are able and adapted to impose a predetermined root temperature on the root system, and lighting elements (20,21,22) which are able and adapted to expose leaves of the plant to actinic artificial light. Leaf heating elements are also provided, which are able and adapted to impose on the leaf of the plant a leaf temperature varying from an ambient temperature. In a method for growing the plant a carbon dioxide assimilation management of a leaf system of the plant is thus influenced, and a supply of actinic light, the root temperature and the carbon dioxide assimilation management are adapted to each other.
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Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for growing a plant in an at least partly conditioned environment, comprising a cultivation base for receiving a culture substrate with a root system of the plant therein, root temperature control means which are able and adapted to impose a predetermined root temperature on the root system, and comprising lighting means which are able and adapted to expose leaves of the plant to actinic artificial light. The invention moreover relates to a method for growing a plant in at least partly conditioned manner, wherein actinic light is supplied to the plant and wherein a root temperature of a root system of the plant is maintained at a desired value.Description of the Related Art

[0002] Such a system and such a method are applied on a significant scale in the glass horticulture in greenhouses. An artificial climate is created here in an at least substantially closed and conditioned environment b...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0018]The system shown in FIG. 1 makes use of a multi-layer cultivation of plant 1 so as to enable the best possible use of an available surface area. The plant is accommodated here in culture trays 2 with a suitable culture substrate 3 therein, such as earth, glass wool, rockwool or simply water, for the purpose of receiving a root system 4 of the plant therein. Culture trays 2 are placed one above the other on beams 11 of a frame 10 constructed almost entirely from stainless steel. Any desired number of such carriages 10 can thus be combined to form a complete cultivation system in a conditioned environment, wherein the plant is brought to full development in fully controlled manner. Irrigation and fertilizing provisions (not further shown) are arranged at or in carriages 10 in order to provide the plant with sufficient water and the necessary nutrients.

[0019]Beams 11 of the carriages each comprise a closed conduit system 12 of a hose or tube which meanders at a regular pitch. In ...